Fajitas are the ultimate Tex-Mex dish – sizzling meats or veggies wrapped in a warm tortilla and loaded with flavorful toppings. As tasty as classic fajitas are, the right cheese takes them to the next level.
Oozing, melted cheese adds creaminess and binds all the ingredients together in each savory bite. With so many cheese varieties to choose from, narrowing it down to the 10 best can be tricky. That’s why we’re breaking down the cheeses that make fajitas extra special.
Finding cheeses with the right balance
Great fajita cheese needs to check several boxes:
- Flavor – Sharp, nutty, tangy – something to complement, not hide, the smoky fajita flavors.
- Melt factor – The cheese needs to get nice and melty to mix into each bite. Firm cheeses won’t cut it.
- Saltiness – A pleasant saltiness makes everything pop. Too much can overpower.
- Spice – A little kick of heat from pepper jack or other spiced cheeses is nice for those who like it hot.
- Creaminess – Ooey, creamy melted cheese takes fajitas over the top. Too dry or crumbly won’t have the same effect.
With the criteria in mind, let’s count down the 10 cheeses that check all the boxes and make the best partners for beef, chicken or shrimp fajitas.
10: Queso Fresco
Starting off our list is queso fresco, a moist, crumbly Mexican cheese. It has a mild flavor with hints of salt, acid and nuts. When it comes to fajitas, a bit of crumbled queso fresco on top adds:
- Pleasant salty, tangy notes
- A slight crunch and creaminess in each bite
- A unique flair
This isn’t a cheese that will melt and ooze like others on our list. It keeps its shape when heated. A light sprinkling as a finishing touch is the way to go with queso fresco. It pairs especially nicely with shrimp fajitas, as the seafood’s delicacy won’t clash with the cheese’s bolder flavor.
9: Blue Cheese
Next up is an attention-grabber: bold and tangy blue cheese. This pungent, veined cheese can be polarizing. For blue cheese lovers, its strong taste adds an exciting dimension to fajitas.
Crumble a bit on top of steak or chicken fajitas and you get:
- Potent tangy and creamy notes
- Interesting texture from cheese crumbles
- A nice contrast to the rich, smoky fajilla flavors
A little blue cheese goes a long way. Too much can overpower the other ingredients. Use it sparingly to spice things up.
8: Feta
Like queso fresco and blue cheese, crumbled feta is a tasty fajita topping rather than melty filling. Feta has a distinctive tart and salty flavor that plays well with the typical fajita fixings.
When sprinkled on top, feta adds:
- Salty, tangy bursts of flavor
- Pleasant crumbly texture
- A Mediterranean flair
Beef and veggies are both excellent foundations for feta’s unique brininess. It also pairs fantastically with shrimp fajitas. Just avoid overdoing it, as feta can quickly dominate with its intense saltiness.
7: Manchego
Manchego is a sheep’s milk cheese hailing from Spain. It has a pleasing nutty, buttery flavor and melts well when shredded. For fajitas, manchego is excellent for:
- A nutty flavor than enhances the meat and veggies without overwhelming
- A boost of savoriness from its salty, butter notes
- A melting consistency to bind ingredients
This cheese works well in any fajita combination. Its versatility makes it a great option for those who want a bolder cheese flavor without venturing into blue cheese territory. A Manchego & avocado fajita is a definite win.
6: Oaxaca
Oaxaca cheese is a smooth, white, semi-soft Mexican cheese that resembles unaged mozzarella. It has a mild, faintly sweet flavor with hints of nuttiness. When melted, Oaxaca delivers an exceptionally creamy, elastic texture.
In fajitas, gooey melted Oaxaca cheese gives you:
- Gently sweet, subtle flavor
- Very smooth and creamy texture
- Excellent melt factor
Oaxaca won’t overpower the other dynamic fajita flavors. Instead, it melts into an ultra creamy binding agent. It’s a foolproof, crowd-pleasing option.
5: Asadero
Up next is Oaxaca’s cousin, Asadero cheese. Also Mexican in origin, it has a flavor profile similar to Oaxaca but with a slightly richer, buttery taste. Like Oaxaca, Asadero melts beautifully.
The benefits of velvety Asadero cheese in fajitas include:
- A pleasing mild flavor
- Abundant creaminess
- Excellent melting properties
As a semi-soft white cheese, Asadero is very flexible. It pairs well with any proteins or veggies in the fajita mix, melting smoothly to take them to the next level.
4: Monterey Jack
Now we’re moving into the top melting cheeses. First up is Monterey Jack – a classic California cheese that happens to make fajitas extra delicious.
Monterey Jack is creamy and buttery smooth. When melted, it delivers:
- A mild, subtle tang
- Next-level creaminess
- A silky consistency that perfectly binds fajita ingredients
This cheese is a perfect match for chicken fajitas. It won’t compete with the chicken’s flavor or Tex-Mex seasonings. Instead, it adds luxurious creamy texture with minimal fuss.
3: Pepper Jack
For those who like a little kick to their fajitas, pepper jack is the cheese for you. Made from Monterey Jack with jalapeño peppers mixed in, it amps up the flavor factor.
The benefits of peppery pepper jack cheese on fajitas include:
- A boost of heat
- Creamy, melty texture
- Enhanced overall flavor
Pepper jack really shines with steak fajitas. The spicy cheese pairs fantastically with the bold beef flavors, cutting through the richness flawlessly. This cheese also plays well with chicken or shrimp. Adjust the spice level by using regular Monterey Jack and mixing in jalapeños.
2: Cheddar
When you think of cheese, cheddar likely comes to mind first. There’s a reason this semi-hard cow’s milk cheese is so wildly popular – its crowd-pleasing flavor works with everything!
For fajitas, shredded cheddar cheese is excellent because it:
- Adds a sharper, tangier flavor
- Provides pleasant saltiness
- Melts smoothly over fillings
Pair cheddar with steak for a true tangy, meaty Tex-Mex explosion. Or combine it with roasted veggies for next-level flavor. Cheddar may be common, but its simplicity makes it a fantastic fajita cheese.
1: Cotija
Topping our list of the best fajita cheeses is Cotija. This hard Mexican cheese has a crumbly texture similar to feta but with a bolder, saltier flavor. A bit of cotija elevates any fajita with:
- A sharpness that cuts through the other flavors
- Savory saltiness to balance the acidity of fresh sides like salsa and lime
- A pleasing crunch
- A unique flair
Cotija adds a tasty twist that really makes fajitas pop. Its hearty flavor stands up to spicy meat and veggies without muting their flavors. For an authentic Mexican touch, cotija can’t be beaten.
FAQs
What is the most traditional cheese for fajitas?
The most traditional cheese for fajitas is Mexican style cheeses like queso fresco, Oaxaca, asadero, and cotija. These crumbly white cheeses add authentic flair and complement the Tex-Mex seasonings.
What cheese has the best melt factor for fajitas?
Oaxaca and asadero have incredible meltability due to their soft, mild flavors. Monterey jack and cheddar also melt smoothly over fajita ingredients.
Which cheese adds the most creaminess to fajitas?
Oaxaca cheese is prized for its ultra creamy and elastic texture when melted. Monterey jack and asadero also add luxurious creaminess.
What is the best cheese if I want a little spice?
Pepper jack cheese has all the melty goodness of Monterey jack with the addition of spicy jalapeños. It adds a nice kick of heat to fajitas.
What cheese can I use if I don’t want anything too bold?
For a milder flavor, stick with Oaxaca, asadero, or regular Monterey jack. Their flavors are subtle enough not to compete with fajita seasonings.
Which cheeses add salty, tangy flavor to fajitas?
Crumbling feta, queso fresco or cotija over fajitas before serving infuses each bite with pleasant saltiness and tang.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of shredding my own?
Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that inhibit smooth melting. Shred or grate cheese yourself for the best melt factor.
How much cheese should I use in my fajitas?
Use cheese sparingly as a topping or filling so it doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors. 1-2 ounces of cheese per fajita is usually plenty.
What’s the best way to add cheese to my fajitas?
Melt cheese on top of other hot fillings, add shredded cheese into the onions and peppers while cooking, or sprinkle crumbled cheese over finished fajitas.
Transform Your Fajitas with the Right Cheese
With 10 top-notch options, from melty and mild to crumbly and bold, you’re sure to find a cheese that upgrades basic fajitas into extraordinary.
Remember, fajitas are all about flavor layering – charred meats, onions and peppers, warm tortillas, creamy toppings. Find a cheese that complements without overpowering.
The satisfying sizzle of a fajita platter hits the spot anytime. With the addition of oozing melted cheese or a strategic cheese crumble, it becomes pure magic. Now you can confidently choose cheeses to take your fajitas over the top. The only thing left is to fire up the griddle and dig in!
Best Cheeses for Fajitas
Ingredients
- Queso Fresco
- Blue Cheese
- Feta
- Manchego
- Oaxaca
- Asadero
- Monterey Jack
- Pepper Jack
- Cheddar
- Cotija
Instructions
- Grill or pan-fry sliced skirt steak and bell peppers until just cooked through. Slice into strips.
- Warm corn or flour tortillas on the grill or in the microwave.
- Place fajita meat and peppers into tortillas.
- Top with shredded cheeses like Mexican blend, Oaxaca, queso fresco, or pepper jack.
- Add other desired toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream.
- Fold or roll tortillas around fillings.
- Optionally, broil or grill assembled fajitas 1-2 minutes to melt cheeses.